It might be stressful to find a kitchen remodeling contractor you can trust. You might be unsure where to start looking for an OC kitchen contractor, especially if you’ve never remodeled before.
This is natural, given that a kitchen renovation is a significant financial commitment in your house. Finding a kitchen remodeling contractor should be taken seriously. Take your time to thoroughly investigate your options to choose a contractor with the necessary skills and experience. Here are some pointers to assist you in choosing a qualified OC contractor if you’re not sure where to begin.
Here at GreatBuildz, a free service that connects homeowners in Orange County with reliable general contractors, everyday we help people find stellar kitchen remodeling contractors – below are the most important things to evaluate when screening a contractor.
Licensed and Insured
A clean license and active insurance are perhaps the most critical things to look for in a kitchen contractor. In order to work on any significant construction project in California, all contractors must be properly licensed.
If a contractor isn’t licensed, they may lack the necessary skills and experience to effectively perform your project. As a result, you should insist on seeing confirmation of licensing before engaging a contractor. On the Contractors’ State License Board’s website, you may quickly check up on a contractor to see if they are licensed.
Any OC kitchen remodeling contractor you invite into your home must be insured. If a construction company is uninsured and one of its workers gets hurt on your property, you may be held accountable. Checking to see if a kitchen contractor is insured is extremely important. A trustworthy contractor would gladly show you their license and confirmation of their insurance, including General Liability and Workers’ Compensation.
Knowledgeable and Experienced
It’s critical to interview several contractors before deciding on a kitchen remodeler to work with. This will allow you to gain additional insight into their knowledge and experience. Finally, it is critical that you hire a contractor who has extensive experience in kitchen remodeling.
Ask potential contractors about previous projects they’ve completed and if you can see photos of their prior kitchen remodels. The majority of competent OC kitchen remodeling contractors will have a portfolio of previous work to show you.
You should also inquire about the contractors’ industry experience and how they stay current on building codes and laws. This can assist you to determine their level of expertise and whether or not you should commit to working with them.
Talk To References
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of potential Orange County kitchen remodeling contractors, request a list of references from each one. Any good contractor will gladly give a list of previous customers who can vouch for the quality of their work. When picking a kitchen contractor, asking for references and contacting each one is crucial, as it allows you to receive a firsthand opinion of what it’s like to deal with a specific contractor.
Ask references about their experience having worked with the contractor, whether they had any issues during their kitchen makeover, and whether they would hire them again.
Local Experience
Working with a kitchen remodeler who is aware of local building standards and regulations is essential. Building codes and permitting procedures vary by state, county, and city, so be sure to look up your specific one.
It is critical that your kitchen remodeling contractor is knowledgeable about Orange County and local city regulations and the permitting process. You don’t want to finish a home improvement just to discover that you lack the necessary permits.
Make sure to inquire about the permitting process in your city and whether or not the contractor will take care of this process for you.
Online Reputation
When looking for a skilled kitchen remodeling contractor in Los Angeles, check to see whether they have a solid public reputation as well.
Businesses are rated by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) based on previous consumer experiences. This rating indicates how the BBB feels a company will interact with potential customers in the future. If a contractor has a positive BBB rating, it means they have a proven track record. In other words, they go out of their way to provide excellent customer service.
Looking at other website reviews (Like Yelp for example) for potential kitchen remodel contractors can also be beneficial. Some online negative reviews might provide you with useful information. Look for someone else if a contractor has mostly poor reviews. We expect a solid contractor to have at least 4.5 stars.
You’ll want to hire a contractor with a strong reputation for providing excellent service as well as high-quality work.
Start Collecting Estimates From Orange County Kitchen Remodeling Contractors
For a kitchen remodel, every homeowner has different needs and preferences. This is why getting an exact price for your project can be difficult. This is the time to call in a couple of Orange County kitchen contractors to give you estimates. As long as you are clear and detailed with your objectives, experienced and skilled contractors should provide realistic cost estimates for your job.
When evaluating how much to pay for the project, check out this blog on the average costs that go into a kitchen renovation in SoCal. Also, a kitchen remodel cost calculator can come in handy!
Alternatively, you can inquire about the cost from someone who has recently completed a similar project, such as a neighbor or friend. Online sources can also provide you with some rough cost estimates for remodeling your kitchen… but you must ensure that the costs are for your local location, i.e. Orange County, and not for another state or city.
Of course, if the notion of hiring a certified kitchen remodeler to construct the dream kitchen you’ve always wanted overwhelms you, you don’t have to go through it alone.
GreatBuildz is a free service that connects homeowners in Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura & San Diego with reliable, thoroughly screened general contractors and provides project support from start to finish.
Submit your project to be connected with several fully vetted, trustworthy contractors who are experienced with kitchen remodeling projects. For more info, visit www.GreatBuildz.com or call 818.317.3567 today.
